1947 Postcard of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration ("Little Church Around the Corner") - New York City
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Church of the Transfiguration
"The Little Church Around the Corner"

(Episcopal)

1 East 29th Street
New York, N.Y. 10016
http://www.littlechurch.org


Organ Specifications:
► III/48 C.B. Fisk, Inc., Op. 92 (1988)
► II/24 Van Zoeren-Steinkampf Organ Co. (1968) – Antiphonal
► III/52 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 6377 (1935)
► III/38 Austin Organ Company, Op. 1554 (1927)
• III/ George S. Hutchings (1911) – electrify, add new Chantry organ
► III/37 George S. Hutchings, Op. 364 (1895)
•  II/ George Jardine & Son (1869)
•  II/18 Henry Crabb (1852)
               
On the first Sunday in October 1848, the first service of the Church of the Transfiguration was held in a private home at 48 East 24th Street. At the time, this area was at the northern outskirts of the city. The original one-story Gothic Revival church and adjoining rectory were built in 1849-50, and added to in 1852. The Lady Chapel was built in 1906, and the mortuary chapel was added in 1908. Frederick Clarke Withers designed the 1896 "lych-gate" ("lych" is Saxon for "corpse"), which is a gateway covered with a roof, the traditional entrance to an English churchyard where the bier would be placed prior to burial. The church's picturesque but rambling style has been affectionately referred to as "The Holy Cucumber Vine."

 
It was in 1870 that Joseph Jefferson was rebuffed in arranging for the funeral of his friend, George Holland, an actor. Told that there was a little church around the corner where "they do that sort of thing," Jefferson fervently exclaimed, "God Bless the Little Church Around the Corner," and that famous benediction has echoed down through the years. This brought about a close relationship with the people of the theater which has continued to this day. It also brought about the founding, in 1923, of the Episcopal Actors' Guild, whose members have included Tallulah Bankhead, Joan Fontaine, Walter Hampden, Rex Harrison, and Charlton Heston, among others.

The Church of the Transfiguration was cited by the New York City Preservation Commission in 1967, and designated a United States Landmark in 1973.
             
 

C.B. Fisk Organ, Op. 92 (1988) - Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)

C. B. Fisk, Inc.
Gloucester, Mass. – Opus 92 (1988)
Mechanical key and stop action
3 manuals, 31 stops, 48 ranks




C.B. Fisk Organ, Op. 92 (1988) - Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)

 
The present organ was built in 1988 by C. B. Fisk, Inc., of Gloucester, Mass. Charles Nazarian’s visual design, inspired by the organ at St. Stephen’s Church, Old Radnor, Wales, complements the perpendicular Gothic style church. Located in a chapel at the crossing of the Nave and the South Transept, the organ is positioned to support congregational singing. Carved oak panels stained dark, with gilt and green accents, enhance the medieval atmosphere. The hammered lead façade pipes are taken from the 8' Prestant of the Great and the 4' Octave of the Pedal. The lower case has wrought iron gates designed and built by Miranda Fisk, as well as twelve quatrefoil bas-relief plaques carved by parishioner and artist Daniel Maloney.

The organ’s tonal design is guided by historical traditions; to accompany the choir, support the congregational singing, and to play the breadth of organ repertoire for services as well as concerts. Charles Fisk provided the original concept of a German Baroque Great, Pedal and Brustwerk, augmented by a nineteenth century French Swell.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
16
   Bourdon
58
2
[
 Fifteenth
58
8
   Prestant
58
  
[
 Mixture V-VIII ranks
?
8
   Spire Flute
58
8
   Cornet V (TC)
170
8
   Harmonic Flute
58
8
   Trumpet
58
4
   Octave
58
8
   Cromorne
58
4
   Rohrflöte
58
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes, enclosed
8
   Gambe
58
2
[
 Doublette
58
8
   Voix céleste
58
  
[
 Fourniture III ranks
116
8
   Cor de nuit
58
16
   Dulcian
58
4
   Spitzflute
58
8
   Trompette
58
2 2/3
[
 Quinte
58
8
   Hautbois
58
 
[
 Sesquialtera II ranks
58
        
               
Brustwerk (Manual III) – 58 notes
8
   Stopt Diapason
58
8
   Regal
58
4
   Flute
58
4
   Schawm
58
2
[
 Waldflöte
58
        
 
[
 Double Cymbel III ranks
116
        
               
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
   Open Bass
30
8
  
Bourdon * (ext.)
12
16
[
 Bourdon *
30
4
[
Octave
30
16+32
[
Bourdon * [ext., no low C#]
11
  
[
Mixture IV ranks
90
8
  
Baarpijp
30
16
  
Trombone
30
               
   
* located near the high altar and played by electric action
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Swell to Great
    Swell to Pedal   Brustwerk to Great
    Brustwerk to Pedal   Brustwerk to Swell
               
Accessories
    Tremulant [entire organ]          
    Wind Stabilizer          
    Zimbelstern [5 bells]          
               
Mechanical Combination Action
    2 pairs of adjustable pedals – On & Off – for each Left (SW & PED) jamb and Right (GT& BW) jamb
               
Double-Draw Stops
    Bracketed pairs of stops are controlled by a single knob. Drawing the knob halfway brings on the first stop; drawing it fully brings on the second stop.
               
C.B. Fisk Organ, Op. 92 (1988) - Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
  
C.B. Fisk Organ, Op. 92 (1988) - Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
  
C.B. Fisk Organ, Op. 92 (1988) - Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
             
  Allen Van Zoeren organ in the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Organ at West End of church:

Van Zoeren-Steinkampf Organ Co.
New York City (1968)
Electro-mechanical action
2 manuals, 23 registers, 19 stops, 24 ranks






The organ at the rear of the church was built in 1968 by the Van Zoeren-Steinkampf Organ Co., a partnership of Allan Van Zoeren and Jack H. Steinkampf. There are three divisions installed in the former Chantry Organ chamber above the narthex, and the handsome Gothic case (with new front pipes) was retained from the 1927 Austin Organ (Op. 1554). These divisions were playable from the Austin console in the chancel. A total of 24 ranks of pipes speak on electro-mechanical chests, including the first horizontal reed (chamade) built by Mr. Steinkampf. Peter Batchelder voiced the organ and installed a new blower in the nearby tower. In the late 1980s, when the chancel organ was removed in preparation for the new Fisk organ, a second-hand [Möller?] console was connected to the antiphonal divisions by Mann & Trupiano of Brooklyn, allowing them to serve as the church's organ for a period of about four years until the Fisk was installed. The console has since been removed, the blower has burned out, and the organ is not currently playable.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
   Principal
61
2
   Flachflöte
61
8
   Rohrgedeckt
61
     Sesquialtera II ranks
122
4
   Octave
61
     Mixture IV ranks
244
4
   Spillflöte
61
8
   Dulzian
61
               
Brust Positiv Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
   Holzgedeckt
61
1 1/3
  Quint
61
8
   Quintadena
61
     Scharff III ranks
183
4
   Rohrpfeife
61
8
   Trompete (horizontal) (TC)
49
2
   Principal
61
        
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Subbass
44
2
   Flute (fr. Principal)
—
8
   Principal (1-12 from GT)
44
     Mixture IV ranks (ext. GT)
48
8
   Flute (fr. Subbass)
—
16
   Rankett
32
4
   Choral Bass (fr. Principal)
—
4
   Dulzian
GT
             
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 6377 (1935)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 53 registers, 41 stops, 52 ranks



In November 1935, the M. P. Möller company was contracted to reconstruct the tonal scheme of the 1927 Austin organ. The cost of this rebuilding was only $2,900, no doubt due to scarcity of work during the Depression. Although the Austin organ was in very fine mechanical condition, its tonal resources were described as having "the old type of tubby and fluty tone." The scheme was drawn up by Hugh McAmis in consultation with Franklin Coates, organist of the church, and Richard O. Whitelegg of Möller, who oversaw final tonal finishing. Möller revoiced many Austin ranks, retained the Austin Universal chests, and added several new ranks on new electro-pneumatic chests. The Great Organ, most of which was enclosed with the Choir Organ, was unenclosed. The Austin console was retained and refitted with new stop keys as necessary. Over time, this console failed due to its location directly above the church furnace, and was replaced by a new Austin console sometime around 1968. Following is the Factory Specification (Dec. 2, 1935) showing that the Great 8' Flute Triangulaire was changed to an 8' Wald Flute, as noted in Möller correspondence of Dec. 12, 1925.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
   Diapason
73
4
   Open Flute
73
8
   Gamba
73
     Grave Mixture II ranks *
122
8
   Wald Flute * [orig. Fl. Triang.]
73
     Chorus Mixture IV ranks *
244
8
   Gemshorn
73
     Harmonics IV ranks *
244
4
   Octave
73
    
Chimes
25 tubes
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
73
2
   Flageolet
61
8
   Diapason [former CH Diap.]
73
     Plein Jeu V ranks *
305
8
   Stopped Flute
73
16
   Contra Fagotto
85
8
   Salicional
73
8
   Oboe (fr. Contra Fagotto)
—
8
   Voix Celeste (TC)
61
8
   Cornopean
73
8
   Aeoline
73
4
   Clarion *
73
8
   Vox Angelica (TC)
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
4
   Flauto Traverso
73
     Tremolo  
4
   Octave *
73
        
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Double Dulciana
97
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Diapason *
73
2
   Dulcet (fr. 16')
—
8
   Melodia
73
8
   French Horn
73
8
   Dulciana (fr. 16')
—
8
   Clarinet
73
8
   Unda Maris (TC)
61
     Tremolo  
4
   Flute d'Amour
73
    
Harp
61 bars
4
   Dolce (fr. 16')
—
     Celesta
—
2 2/3
  Nazard (fr. 16')
—
        
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Resultant
—
8
   Octave
32
16
   Open Diapason
32
8
   Flute (fr. Bourdon)
—
16
   Second Diapason
32
8
   Cello (Gamba)
GT
16
   Bourdon
44
16
   Trombone
44
16
   Lieblich Bourdon
SW
16
   Fagotto
SW
16
   Dulciana
CH
8
  
Tromba (fr. 16')
—
           
* stops added by Möller
Chantry – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Gedeckt
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Viole Aetheria
61
  Tremolo
8
   Voix Celeste (TC)
49
   
             
Austin Organ Company
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 1554 (1927)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 52 registers, 38 stops, 38 ranks



In 1927, the church commissioned a new three-manual organ to be built by the Austin Organ of Hartford. PIpes were installed in a chamber that extended below floor level at the right side of the chancel. It seems likely that the Chantry organ was retained from the previous Geo. S. Hutchings organ. The detached stop-key console was placed amid choir stalls in the divided chancel.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
73
8
   Gamba *
73
8
   First Open Diapason
73
4
   Open Flute *
73
8
   Second Open Diapason *
73
4
   Octave *
73
8
   Grossflöte *
73
8
   Tuba Harmonic *
73
8
   Gemshorn *
73
    
Chimes
preparation
   
   
* enclosed in Choir expression box
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
73
1 3/5
  Tierce +
61
8
   Diapason Phonon
73
1 1/7
  Septieme +
61
8
   Stopped Flute
73
     Mixture IV ranks [draws + stops]
—
8
   Salicional
73
16
   Fagotto
85
8
   Voix Celeste (TC)
61
8
   Oboe (fr. Fagotto)
—
8
   Aeoline
73
4
   Clarion (fr. Fagotto)
—
8
   Vox Angelica (TC)
61
8
   Cornopean
73
4
   Flauto Traverso
73
8
   Vox Humana
61
2 2/3
   Nazard +
61
          [sep chest, box and tremolo]
2
   Flautino +
61
     Tremolo  
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Double Dulciana
97
4
   Flute d'Amour
61
8
   Dulciana (fr. 16')
—
2
  Piccolo
61
4
   Dolce (fr. 16')
—
8
   Clarinet
73
2 2/3
   Nazard (fr. 16')
—
8
   French Horn
73
4
   Dulcet (fr. 16')
—
 
Tremolo
  
8
   Open Diapason
73
8
  
Harp (TC, fr. Celesta)
—
8
   Melodia
73
4
  
Celesta
61 bars
8
  Unda Maris (TC)
61
     
               
Chantry Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Violin Diapason
61
8
   Voix Celeste (TC)
49
8
   Gedeckt
61
     Tremolo  
8
   Viole Aetheria
61
        
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Resultant Bass
—
8
   Flute (fr. Bourdon)
—
16
   Open Diapason
44
8
   'Cello (Gamba)
GT
16
   Bourdon
44
16
   Fagotto
SW
16
   Dolce Bourdon
SW
16
   Tuba Profunda (ext. GT)
12
8
   Octave (fr. Op. Diap.)
—
        
             
George S. Hutchings Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 364 (1911)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals


The Diapason (Oct. 1, 1911) announced that Hutchings was contracted to electrify their 1895 organ, add a new movable console, and install a Chantry organ at the West End of the church. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
             
George S. Hutchings Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 364 (1895)
Mechanical action
3 manuals, 39 registers, 34 stops, 38 ranks


The following specification was recorded by F.R. Webber (1887-1963), whose "Organ Scrapbooks" are in the possession of The Organ Historical Society Archives in Princeton, N.J.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
61
4
   Flute Harmonique
61
8
   First Open Diapason
61
2 2/3
   Twelfth
61
8
   Second Open Diapason
61
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   Viola di Gamba
61
     Mixture III ranks
183
8
   Doppel Flöte
61
8
   Trumpet
61
4
   Octave
61
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon treble (TC)
49
4
  Flute Harmonique
61
16
   Bourdon bass
12
2
  Flageolet
61
8
   Open Diapason
61
     Dolce Cornet III ranks
183
8
   Salicional
61
16
   Fagotto
61
8
   Aeoline
61
8
   Cornopean
61
8
   Stopped Diapason
61
8
   Oboe
61
4
   Octave
61
4
   Clarion
61
4
   Violina
61
     Tremolo  
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
   Geigen Principal
61
4
   Flute d'Amour
61
8
   Dulciana
61
2
  Piccolo Harmonique
61
8
   Concert Flute
61
8
   Clarionet
61
               
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
   Open Diapason
42
8
   Octave (fr. Op. Diapason)
—
16
   Violone
42
8
   Violoncello (fr. Violone)
—
16
   Bourdon
42
8
   Flöte (fr. Bourdon)
—
10 2/3
  Quint (fr. Bourdon)
—
        
               
Couplers
    Swell to Great       Great to Pedal  
    Swell to Choir       Swell to Pedal  
    Choir to Great      
Choir to Pedal
             
Pedal Movements
    Forte, Great & Pedal Organ     Great to Pedal reversible
    Mezzo, Great & Pedal Organ     Swell to Great at octaves
    Piano, Great & Pedal Organ     Balanced Swell Pedal
    Forte, Swell & Pedal Organ      
    Mezzo, Swell & Pedal Organ      
    Piano, Swell & Pedal Organ      
           
Mechanicals
    Blowers Signal      
    Wind Indicator      
             
George Jardine & Son
New York City (1869)
Mechanical action
2 manuals


In 1869, George Jardine & Son either rebuilt the 1851 Crabb organ or installed a completely new organ. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
             
Henry Crabb
Flatbush, L.I. (1852)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 18 stops


The orginal organ in the Church of the Transfiguration was built in 1852 by Henry Crabb of Flatbush, L.I. As noted in the 1861 American Musical Directory, the organ had "2 banks keys, 18 stops, 1 octave pedals." Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
               
Sources:
     American Musical Directory. New York: Thomas Hutchinson, 1861.
     "Austin for Famed Church," The Diapason (August 1927). Specifications of Austin Organ Company organ, Op. 1554 (1927). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     Austin Organs, Inc. web site: http://austinorgans.com
     Batchelder, Peter. Stoplist of Van Zoeren-Steinkamp organ (1968).
     The Church of the Transfiguration web site: http://www.littlechurch.org
     The Diapason (April 1936). Stoplist with revisions by M.P. Möller organ, Op. 6377 (1936). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     Dolkart, Andrew S. and Matthew A. Postal. Guide to New York City Landmarks. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004.
     Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     C. B. Fisk, Inc. web site: http://www.cbfisk.com/
     Glück, Sebastian M. Information from The Diapason (Oct. 1, 1911) about electrification of Hutchings organ.
     Speller, John. "Henry Crabb: An Ancient Tradition of Organbuilding Moves from Devonshire to New York," The Tracker (43:3,1999).
     Trupiano, Larry. Electronic correspondence regarding Van Zoeren-Steinkampf organ.
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specifications for and correspondence in re M.P. Möller organ, Op. 6377 (1936).
     Webber, F.R. "Organ scrapbook" at Organ Historical Society Archives, Princeton, N.J. Specifications of Geo. S. Hutchings organ, Op. 364 (1895). Courtesy Jonathan Bowen.

Illustrations:
     eBay.com. 1947 postcard of church.
     Lawson, Steven E. Church interior; C.B. Fisk organ, Op. 92 (1988); Van Zoeren-Steinkamp Organ (c.1970).